Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-06

The Congress now assembled Is viewed and treat
cd BY the President In his message Is II It were the
old Congress In special session. pursuant 20 pubic
demand for the exclusive purpose OF disposing OF
the surplus The message Is special not general.
notwithstanding the fact that IL Is sent at the reg
ular opening on q new Congress, and IN this respect
10 Is unique. The overwhelming immediate impor-
lance OF the single question discussed by the Pres
tdent doustles5 Iustines this departure from
custom The message addresses itself 10
the evils OF a congested national treas
ury and a depleted monetary condition
In the business OF the country and TO the problem
OF removing the causes OF these evils. The amount
OF money, &c declares, annually exacted, through
the operation OF present laws from the Industries
and necessities OF the people, largely exceeds the
sum necessary TO meet the expenses OF the gov
eminent and the public treasury which should
only exist as q conduit conveying the peoples
tribute 20 It's legitimate objects OF expenditure. be-
comes q boarding place for money needessly with
drawn from trade and the peoples use, thus Grip
ping our national energies, suspending our coun-
try's development, preventing investment in pro-
ducsive enterprise, threatening financial disturb
ance, and inviting schemes OF public plumber. The
Immediate dangers nom the financial situation
have been averted IL Is said, by the purchase
OF bonds and the anticipation OF Interest,
but the surplus revenues have continued
70 accumulate and it Is estimated that the
surplus will BY the Goth of next June amount to
sl40OOOOOo In respect TO the question Of purchas-
ing bonds rs q means OF restoring the surplus to
circulation the President suggests that premiums
must OF course be paid upon such purchase, that
there may be a large part OF these bonds held as
investments which cannot be purchased at any
price and that combinations among holders who
are willing to sell may unreasonably enhance the
cost OF SUCH bonds to the Government. Practical
dculties in securing any great or lasting advant-
"a "A 40
NJ q less rate OF interest are pointed out. The
deposit OF the money held by the Government
in banks throughout the country for use
by the people. and the disposal OF the surplus by
unnecessary and extravagant appropriations are
pronounced Objectionable. Having disposed OF
other means OF relief suggested, the President
discioses his own remedy. He finds that there is
no Just complaint against internal revenue taxa
ton upon the consumption Of tobacco and spiritu-
Gus and malt liquors, but urges that our present
tariff laws the vicious inrequitaole, and Illogical
source OF unnecessary taxation, ought TO be at
once revised and amended. 'These laws, as their
primary and plain effect, raise the price to
consumers Of all articles imported and SUBJ
Jet 10 duty By precisely the sum paid
for such duties" Upon this text the Presi.
dent advances with force and clearness the Gus
tomary free trade arguments against the tariff,
though the question OF free trade IL pronounced
absolutely Irrelevant" The tariff must be extern
siveiy continued, he says, as the source OF the
governments income; and In q REIMBURSEMENT the
existence Of our manufacturing interests should
not be imperfled. The SPECIFIC recommendations
OF tue President are the removal reduction Of the
duty on wool, reduction OF taxation on dutiable
articles In respect TO which healthy and free CON-
petition reduces the price below the limit which
they might otherwise reach under our tariff laws,
placing the free list many articles which do not
compete with our manufactures and many which
hardly worth attention as subjects OF revenue,
and the radical reduction OF the duties imposed
upon raw material used In manufacturer, or its
free Importation The broad Recommendation of
the message is the prevention OF surplus govern
ment revenues by the reduction Of customs duties,
and, In accomplishing this purpose, the discharge
Of q double duty TO the people by granting them
measure Of relief from tarin taxation in quarters
where it - most needed.